Local tree news

1.      The community lost its fight to retain a children’s tree house in a very beautiful street tree on Narelle Avenue in North Bondi last week.  Waverley Council said the tree house was unsafe & they would “build a compliant play area in a nearby park.” The community is upset, especially the children who used to play in the tree house.  http://wentworth-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/north-bondi-treehouse-removed/

2.      Wahroonga Council planned a new park & playground at Water Street Reserve, Wahroonga. To do this they would need to remove 400 square metres of shrubs & grasses in an endangered Blue gum high forest. Council said no trees would need to be removed.  The community protested so the Councillors have asked for a report, including “funding & restoration options.”  http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/council-cant-see-good-for-the-trees-residents/

3.       Bardon Park Coogee is used by the Coogee Dolphins Rugby Club to practice, but the community say it is a small park that is meant for use by the residents & not the sporting clubs. Randwick Council had intended to returf the park.  http://southern-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/feud-over-park-continues/

4.      Lot 4711 Bambara Road, Kariong zoned Conservation & Scenic Protection (Conservation) was allegedly cleared without permission from Gosford Council.  The Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water is investigating.  http://express-advocate-gosford.whereilive.com.au/news/story/investigation-into-land-clearing-at-bambara-road/

5.      A vandal has damaged or destroyed new street trees on Walnut Street Carnegie on 6 occasions over the past 18 months.  The residents are upset & want the trees replaced.  Glen Eira Council said they probably wont replace the trees immediately – so the vandal gets exactly what they want despite living on a street where the residents do want new street trees.  http://caulfield-glen-eira-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/carnegie-tree-killer-strikes-six-times/

6.      In a fantastic move, Tweed Shire Council passed a new Tree Preservation Order that extends Koala habitat in the region. Another 1,870 hectares of land in the Tweed will now be protected.  This is great as we are seriously in danger of losing wild Koala populations due to habitat loss.  http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/17/3141055.htm?site=northcoast&section=news&date=(none)

7.       Elm beetles & cedar moth caterpillars have stripped the leaves of scores of Elm & Cedar trees in Wagga Wagga.  Wagga City Council say they have 500 Golden elms as street trees which they intend to progressively replace over the next 10-years though they don’t say why. They do however, say that the affected trees won’t die as a result of the insect damage & their leaves will grow back .  http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/wagga-trees-under-attack-from-insects/2079055.aspx

8.      Shepparton Council intends to remove 63 mature London Planes trees in Corio Street Shepparton.  The residents are campaigning to retain the trees.  The Greater Shepparton City Council said some of the trees were dangerous while others were dying.  The trees are 80-years old. http://www.sheppnews.com/members/login.aspx?noaccess=1&from=/article.aspx?id=1202303

9.       Conservationists protesting logging at Rats Head Road in the Bodalla State Forest Narooma successfully stopped work by suspending a platform 10 metres above

Norfolk Island Pines Tempe

the ground from a tree with the rope attached to logging equipment.  However, during last Tuesday night, an unknown person cut the ropes that supported the platform while a protester was up in the platform. “South East Forest Rescue (SEFR) representatives presented Forests NSW & the logging contractors with a ‘Statement of Guarantee.’  The statement set out terms & conditions requiring Forests NSW to guarantee there will be no impacts on the environment as a result of the logging & ‘to guarantee any logging Forests NSW & their authorised contractors undertake will not impact on the health & wellbeing of the citizens of New South Wales, being both present & future unborn generations.’ The logging contractor refused to sign the guarantee.” Later the tree that held the viewing platform was chopped down by an unknown person.  http://www.naroomanewsonline.com.au/news/local/news/general/night-attack-on-forest-treesitter-at-narooma/2078489.aspx

10.       Woolahra Council is attempting to cut down tree vandalism done for views by allowing residents to prune public trees for views & sunlight, including trees in public parks.  http://wentworth-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/draft-plan-to-manage-trees/

11.     Orange City Council plans to rezone & sell Fred Dobbin Park.  This park is only one of more than a dozen similar community parks that the Council plans to sell.  The residents are fighting the selloff saying they need their parks.  http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/we-will-fight-to-save-our-park/2075907.aspx

12.      Marrickville Mudcrabs reported that on Saturday 19th February 2011 a car was dumped into the Cooks River near Tempe Railway Station.  Marrickville Council was informed & sent a Ranger to assess the situation.  Apparently the car was leaking petrol & oil into the river.  I am unaware as to whether it has been removed yet.

This is very well done. It's in Stanmore